Check It Out

Books recommended for young readers by Ilene Abramson, senior librarian for the Children’s Literature Department, Los Angeles Public Library:

Books dealing with the courage of soldiers who fought in the Great War between 1914 and 1918 are appropriate for Veterans Day.

Kindergarten and first grade: “The Language of Doves,” by Rosemary Wells, illustrated by Greg Shed

A gentle grandfather relates the moving story of a courageous homing pigeon during World War I.

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Second and third grade: “Waiting for the Evening Star,” by Rosemary Wells, illustrated by Susan Jeffers

Daily life in rural Vermont is portrayed through the eyes of a boy whose brother is going off to war.

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Fourth grade: “In Flanders Fields,” by Linda Granfield, illustrated by Janet Wilson

Devastation on the battlefield made famous by the renowned World War I poem, and the story of the doctor who wrote the verses.

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Fifth and sixth grade: “Summer Soldiers,” by Susan Hart Lindquist

With his father off at war, a young boy is “man of the house.”

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Read Aloud: “The Singing Tree,” by Kate Seredy

A Hungarian family opens hearts and home to refugees and war orphans.

Story Time

Some of the books to be read on KCET’s “Story Time,” Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

* “How Many Days to America?” by Eve Bunting

A family travels by ship to America and discovers the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Themes: holidays, determination, feelings, resourcefulness.

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* “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse,” by Kevin Henkes

Lilly loves everything about school, especially her teacher. But then she does something for which she is sorry. Themes: trust and consideration for others.

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* “Turnip Soup,” by Lynne Born Myers and Christopher Myers

George faces a troublesome Komodo dragon that is eating everyone’s vegetables. Themes: fantasy, fears.